Verstappen to start at back of Russian GP grid after engine change

ANKARA

Dutch driver Max Verstappen will start the Russian Grand Prix from the back of the grid after taking a new power unit ahead of Sunday’s race.

“Red Bull’s championship leader Max Verstappen will start the Russian Grand Prix from the back of the grid having taken a raft of new power unit components at Sochi,” the FIA, the governing body for motorsports, said on Friday.

Red Bull opted to take a fourth engine for Verstappen’s car, one more than is allowed in a single season.

Verstappen was already facing a three-place grid penalty for the collision with Lewis Hamilton at the Italian Grand Prix earlier this month.

Charles Leclerc will also start at the back of the grid in Sochi after Ferrari exceeded the allocation to install a new power unit in his car.